Mika is one of two wellbeing and trauma support dogs working in London's Metropolitan Police supporting officers' wellbeing, often in the face of trauma and emotionally challenging work.
As a working chocolate Labrador, she's a distinctive presence and something of a one off, recruited specifically for healing work.
One reason that Mika and her canine colleague, Dexter and their handlers are interesting is that they and their handlers are on the payroll. The therapy dog model is well established in the UK, but these dogs are part of the mental health support structure, and perform a key role in signposting further support, as P.C. Morgan Heath explains to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather.
As so often with wellbeing and emotional support dogs, the initiative emerged organically, rather as it did with other emotional support dogs we've featured on the podcast (details below).
Handler, P.C. Morgan Heath tells the story of Mika and the original trauma support dog, Dexter, came to the Met, which has the largest dog section and breeding programme in the country.
It's a moving tale, which has its origins in the Covid lockdown. Morgan was formerly an officer in the mounted police before injury forced her to give up riding, retrained and joined the dog section in a mental health support role.
Recorded at Goodwoof 2024, on the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex.
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Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
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